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Blue Jays expect Reyes back Friday in Cleveland

3/31/14: Jose Reyes exits with an injury in the first inning against the Rays

By Gregor Chisholm
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MLB.com |

MINNEAPOLIS -- Jose Reyes still appears on track to re-join the Blue Jays in time for their upcoming weekend series in Cleveland.

Reyes played in an extended spring training game in Florida on Monday and was in the lineup for Class A Dunedin on Tuesday night. He's expected to appear in at least two official rehab games before the Blue Jays re-evaluate his situation.

The All-Star shortstop has been out since he suffered a strained hamstring during his first at-bat of the season on March 31. He's eligible to come off the DL on Wednesday, and while that won't be happening it also doesn't appear as though Toronto will have to wait much longer.

"That's the plan right now unless he has a little setback," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Tuesday afternoon. "He'll play [Tuesday and [Wednesday] and then probably travel on Thursday to Cleveland and be ready to go Friday. That's the plan."

Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen also made his first official rehab appearance for Class A Dunedin on Tuesday night. Janssen pitched one scoreless inning and allowed one hit with one strikeout. The timeline for his return isn't as clear as the one for Reyes.

Janssen is expected to need at least two more appearances in the Minors before returning. That would seem to make it unlikely Janssen would join the Blue Jays in Cleveland. A more realistic scenario would see him activated off the DL for Toronto's home game against the Orioles on April 22.

Janssen, 32, has been out since he suffered a strained lower back late in Spring Training. Right-hander Sergio Santos entered play on Tuesday night with four saves during Janssen's absence.